DanceRites, the only nation-wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance competition, is happening at the steps of the Sydney Opera House Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of October.

Dance that has survived generations of erasure and forced assimilation will be front and centre today and tomorrow for a free event, as 18 magnificent groups remind Bennelong Point whose land this is.

With $41,000 prize money on the line, the stakes are as high as the energy. Ten of these crews will be hitting the Sand Circle for the first time, a debut that’s more than just about performance—it’s about showing that these traditions are thriving.

As the NSW Minister for the Arts, John Graham, put it, “DanceRites is a special moment… a powerful opportunity to celebrate and learn about diverse First Nations cultures as they perform on the iconic Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Tubowgule.”

Leading the charge is Gubbi Gubbi singer-songwriter Naomi Wenitong (half of Shakaya) and hip-hop legend Shannon Williams aka BrothaBlack (Yiman – Ghungalu). They’ll be hosting the event, making sure the energy stays as electric as the performances themselves.

If you can’t cheer on the dance groups in-person, the events will also be broadcast as a free livestream on Sydney Opera House and NITV channels.

Sydney Opera House Head of First Nations Programming, Michael Hutchings said in a statement, “We can’t wait to welcome mob back to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. DanceRites continues the traditions of Tubowgule as a meeting place for storytelling, celebration and dance, on the Opera House’s most spectacular outdoor stage”

“DanceRites creates a truly special space for community to gather, connect and share their cultures with each other and audiences, on site and online across Australia.”